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Why This Could Be Jimmy Butler’s Last Season With Warriors
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- Why This Could Be Jimmy Butler’s Last Season With Warriors
Jimmy Butler was brought to the Golden State Warriors via trade from the Miami Heat during the 2024-25 season to be the newest solution to the Warriors impending decline so that he could be the third piece of a new Big Three in the Bay, but that solution clearly hasn't worked out.
Butler hasn't been able to match the kind of production that the Warriors were expecting of him and to make matters worse, Butler suffered an ACL tear last season that not only ended his 2025-26 campaign, but is putting the majority of the 2026-27 season in jeopardy as well.
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Now, the Warriors are expecting a healthy return from Butler and a level of production that can help move the needle for the Warriors to turn their franchise around, but the Warriors may choose a different path with Butler instead.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) speaks with referee Jenna Schroeder after a foul call during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Chase Center. D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
What To Do With Butler
According to a recent report from ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Warriors may pivot later on in the season and try to use Butler as trade capital midseason rather than try and extract any more value from Butler as a player on their roster.
Windhorst added that he doesn't think the Warriors will be operating on a "day to day" basis, meaning that the Warriors won't be constantly monitoring Butler's progress to see if he's worth trading or not, but Windhorst doesn't discount the possibility that Butler could have more value as a trade piece that he would as a rostered player.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dribbles against Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) in the third quarter at Chase Center. David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Being able to trade Butler would be somewhat difficult considering that he is not only still recovering from an ACL tear, but he is 36-years-old and nearing the end of his own career.
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Starting to Rebuild?
But if Butler is seen as a trade piece that could elevate a late-season playoff contender, then the Warriors could try and acquire a package of prospects or young players that could help jumpstart a pseudo-rebuild that the Warriors up to this point have been unwilling to commit to.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) looks to pass the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
With Steph Curry and Draymond Green nearing the end of their own careers, it be wiser for the Warriors to try and plan for the future instead of trying to force their way into playoff contention by relying on a trio of aging stars.
Any possibility of this hypothetical proposed by Windhorst both a long shot and a long way off, but it does present some interesting possibilities for what the future of the Warriors could be and where there heads are at in regard to what the short and long term goals of the team are going to be.
